By Desire Tshuma
Skuta – Filabusi— A trailer that detached from a cross-border _omalayitsha_ vehicle struck three family members at Skuta Growth Point around 1900hrs yesterday, killing a mother and her daughter and leaving the mother’s brother hospitalised.
The deceased were identified as Celani Tshuma and her daughter Kiesha. The fatal accident happened as the family was coming from the shops on their way home, family spokesperson Bheki Mpala confirmed.
Witnesses said Celani Tshuma died on the spot while Kiesha later succumbed to injuries at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo. Celani’s brother, Delight Tshuma, a young adult, was initially taken to Filabusi District Hospital but has since been transferred to Mpilo Hospital where he is said to be in stable condition. Burial arrangements are yet to be announced.
The incident occurred along the Bulawayo–Masvingo Road at Skuta Growth Point in Insiza North District, Matabeleland South. Villagers at the scene said the trailer disconnected from the _omalayitsha_ truck, veered off the road, and hit the three relatives as they walked at the roadside.
“It just came loose and hit them,” said a villager who witnessed the aftermath. “The family and the community are left dumbfounded. The whole village is in a sombre atmosphere. People are now afraid of standing near the road.”
Efforts to get a comment from the Matabeleland South police spokesperson were fruitless as his mobile phone was not reachable.
The Skuta crash is the third fatal incident involving family units in the past month. On 2 April, six members of the Mujuru family died along the Harare–Masvingo Road while travelling to Zvishavane for the Easter church holiday. Another accident over Easter in Shangani claimed the lives of a family of three.
Skuta Growth Point is a busy stop along the Bulawayo–Masvingo corridor, used heavily by cross-border _omalayitsha_ vehicles travelling from South Africa.
Community members have called for stricter checks on trailer coupling and roadworthiness for haulage vehicles using the route.